Major bowel cancer study recruiting participants

Bowel cancer in young people is on the rise globally, and researchers from King’s College London are calling on the UK public to help them discover why.

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The trial features on a BBC Panorama episode airing today which investigates the sharp rise in bowel cancer in the under 50s.

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The major study, PROSPECT-UK, led by researchers at King’s College London and ZOE, is urgently looking to tackle the crisis by recruiting 250,000 participants across the UK.

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The trial will follow thousands of adults over time to understand how diet, lifestyle, daily habits, gut health, and environmental exposures influence risk.

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The study is calling for anyone aged 18-50 and living in the UK to take part in the study to help the research team find answers. Participants will contribute valuable information about their diet and lifestyle which will help the researchers identify patterns and trends. The trial will then expand to include over 50s.

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Bowel cancer has long been considered a disease of older adults, but since 1990 the amount of people under 50 diagnosed has doubled. The UK now has one of the fastest-rising rates among countries seeing this trend, with projections suggesting that by 2030 cases could double in comparison to 2010.

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Although early-onset bowel cancer, also known as early-onset colorectal cancer, still only represents around 10% of all bowel cancer cases, its occurrence is increasing by 1–2% every year in adults under 50.

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The researchers are keen to highlight that there are some easy lifestyle changes that people can adopt to reduce their risk. This includes increasing fibre intake, consuming a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole foods, and keeping active.

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Participants in the study will complete short online questionnaires on their diet, lifestyle, environment, health and other factors, and asked for consent to link their electronic health records. A small subgroup will be invited to complete more detailed diet diaries and provide blood and stool samples.

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Unfortunately, many younger adults are diagnosed too late – partly because routine screening begins later in life and symptoms are often overlooked. Symptoms to watch include blood in stool, persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and unexplained weight loss. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice.

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This research is funded by Cancer Grand Challenges, including Cancer Research UK, NIH National Cancer Institute, Bowelbabe Fund and Institut National du Cancer (INCA). To take part in the trial, go to https://healthspanconnect.kcl.ac.uk/take-part/

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